Major Plate competition Tamil Union in pole position to win outright

Saturday, 7 February 2026 02:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Navod Paranavithana’s century helped Tamil Union to 417-6 declared

Tamil Union in danger of being eliminated to the Tier B 3-day league came up with a strong batting performance to place themselves in a position to pull off an outright win against Nugegoda SWC in their Major Plate match played at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala yesterday.

Having bowled out Nugegoda SWC for a paltry 88, Tamil Union closed the second day at 417-6 declared. Opener Navod Paranavithana hit a solid 126 off 246 balls (8 fours) and half-centuries from skipper Minod Bhanuka (61 off 91 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Sharujan Shanmuganathan (51* off 92 balls, 4 fours) saw Tamil Union to their imposing total. Nugegoda SWC will begin the third and final day today trailing by 329 runs and a mountain to climb to save the match.

An opening stand of 136 between Yohan Maddege (85 off 79 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes) and Lakvin Abeysinghe (85 off 115 balls, 7 fours) saw Kurunegala YCC end the second day of their match at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona on 259-4 in reply to Chilaw Marians CC’s first innings of 149-9 declared. Bad light brought an early end to play.

Bad light and rain also brought an early finish to the match between Badureliya SC and Panadura SC at Galle Cricket Stadium. In reply to Badureliya SC’s first innings of 297, Panadura SC ended the day on 146-3 to trail by 151 runs. Ayana Siriwardhana continued his innings scoring 89 off 132 balls (10 fours) for Badureliya SC. Sri Lanka Test batsman Oshada Fernando was unbeaten on 58 (81 balls, 6 fours) for Panadura SC.

All three matches will continue on the third and final day today. – [ST]